NFC NORTH: Where all four teams stand following 2026 NFL Draft – Detroit Lions

Senior Writer
The 2026 NFL Draft is complete, and teams are now looking to get their draft picks, undrafted players and tryout players in the building and on the field across the league before they join the veterans for OTAs. The four teams in the NFC North certainly believe they are better today than they were early last week thanks to the new infusion of young talent via this year’s draft.
Now that the dust has settled on the draft, let’s look at who Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay and Minnesota added to their rosters and how it might impact the division moving forward:
Draft picks: Rd 1 – T Blake Miller (Clemson), Rd 2 – EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan), Rd 4 – LB Jimmy Rolder (Michigan), Rd 5 – CB Keith Abney II (Arizona State), Rd 5 – WR Kendrick Law (Kentucky), Rd 6 – DT Skyler Gill-Howard (Texas Tech), Rd 7 – DL Tyre West (Tennessee).
Most impactful pick: The expectation for Miller, the No. 17 overall pick, is to be the starting right tackle for the 2026 season and be the guy there for the next decade or so as a bookend tackle with All-Pro Penei Sewell. That would certainly be impactful.
Sleeper pick: Abney is a player general manager Brad Holmes said he had a third-round grade on but was able to snag in the fifth-round. His skill set looks to fit perfectly in the nickel as an aggressive player in coverage who isn’t afraid to tackle in the run game. He could have an early impact.
Twentyman: Holmes and the Lions were able to fill several key needs with players they believe can be immediate contributors but who are also culture fits. Detroit’s gotten younger and more athletic in the trenches, and that’s where the identity of this football team starts on both sides of the ball.
View photos of the seven players the Detroit Lions selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
T Blake Miller, Clemson: Round 1, 17th overall
(AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
T Blake Miller, Clemson: Round 1, 17th overall
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
T Blake Miller, Clemson: Round 1, 17th overall
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
T Blake Miller, Clemson: Round 1, 17th overall
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
T Blake Miller, Clemson: Round 1, 17th overall
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan: Round 2, 44th overall
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan: Round 2, 44th overall
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan: Round 2, 44th overall
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan: Round 2, 44th overall
(AP Photo/David Dermer)
EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan: Round 2, 44th overall
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan: Round 4, 118th overall
(Gregory Payan/AP Content Services for NFL)
LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan: Round 4, 118th overall
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan: Round 4, 118th overall
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan: Round 4, 118th overall
(AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan: Round 4, 118th overall
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State: Round 5, 157th overall
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State: Round 5, 157th overall
(AP Photo/Josh McSwain)
CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State: Round 5, 157th overall
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State: Round 5, 157th overall
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State: Round 5, 157th overall
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky: Round 5, 168th overall
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky: Round 5, 168th overall
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky: Round 5, 168th overall
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky: Round 5, 168th overall
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky: Round 5, 168th overall
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
DL Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech: Round 6, 205th overall
(College Pressbox)
DL Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech: Round 6, 205th overall
(College Pressbox)
DL Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech: Round 6, 205th overall
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
DL Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech: Round 6, 205th overall
(College Pressbox)
DL Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech: Round 6, 205th overall
(College Pressbox)
DL Tyre West, Tennessee: Round 7, 222nd overall
(AP Photo/John Amis)
DL Tyre West, Tennessee: Round 7, 222nd overall
(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
DL Tyre West, Tennessee: Round 7, 222nd overall
(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
DL Tyre West, Tennessee: Round 7, 222nd overall
(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
DL Tyre West, Tennessee: Round 7, 222nd overall
(AP Photo/James Pugh)
Draft picks: Rd 1 – S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), Rd 2 – C Logan Jones (Iowa), Rd 3 – TE Sam Roush (Stanford), Rd 3 – WR Zavion Thomas (LSU), Rd 4 – CB Malik Muhammad (Texas), Rd 5 – LB Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State), Rd 6 – DT Jordan van den Berg (Georgia Tech)
Most impactful pick: The Bears view Thieneman as a rare safety opposing offenses must account for because of his speed, skill set and position versatility. He’s expected to step right in and fill the open vacancy at one of the two safety spots next to veteran Coby Bryant.
Sleeper pick: The Bears have several unproven linebackers after T.J. Edwards and Devin Bush, so there’s an opportunity for Elliott to compete for playing time on defense and be a four-core special teamer early on.
Twentyman: Thieneman is an instant impact player, but a lot of the rest of this class improves depth with a look to the future. Jones will learn behind veteran Garrett Bradbury and cross-train at guard. Roush fills the No. 3 tight end role behind Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. The Bears are focused on continuing to build their culture under second-year head coach Ben Johnson and I believe they accomplished that.
“We’re looking for high-level competitors, guys that if you took football away from them, they really don’t know what to do with themselves,” Johnson told chicagobears.com. “It’s a huge part. They eat it, they sleep it, they breathe it, and I think we’re able to identify those types of guys. When you have guys like that, they usually find a way to come out on top.”
Draft picks: Rd 2 – CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina), Rd 3 – DT Chris McClellan (Missouri), Rd 4 – EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State), Rd 5 – IOL Jager Burton (Kentucky), Rd 6 – CB Domani Jackson (Alabama), Rd 6 – K Trey Smack (Florida)
Most impactful pick: Cisse has a chance to compete for an early role, but he’s probably more of a 2027 impact player. Dennis-Sutton, however, with his size and consistent production across multiple seasons, has a chance to be an early contributor for the Packers’ defensive front. Not sure how or why he slipped to Day 3 but could end up being a steal for the Packers.
Sleeper pick: Green Bay is coming off a four-point playoff loss to their bitter rivals Chicago, where they missed two field goals and an extra point. If Smack can win the job coming out of camp, he could be the most important player in the draft class for the Packers, and Green Bay could finally have their post-Mason Crosby answer at kicker.
Twentyman: When I look at these six selections, I see a lot of upside in several players. But how ready will a lot of these guys be to compete for roles immediately? I’m not sure. This could be a class that doesn’t have a ton of impact right away, but in 2027 and beyond, several of these players have a chance to develop into core pieces at some important spots.
View photos from inside the Detroit Lions draft room.
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Owner/Vice Chair Martha Morse Ford during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Steve Hamp during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Director of College Scouting Brian Hudspeth during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Director of Pro Scouting Dwane Joseph during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Special Assistant to Chairman and President & CEO Chris Spielman during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Owner/Vice Chair Martha Morse Ford during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Senior Personnel Executive John Dorsey and Detroit Lions Senior Director of Football Administration Charlie Adkins during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Director of Pro Scouting Rob Lohman during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Senior Director of Football Administration Charlie Adkins and Detroit Lions Chief Operating Officer Mike Disner during the 2026 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 23, 2026 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Draft picks: Rd 1 – DT Caleb Banks (Florida), Rd 2 – LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Rd 3 – DT Domonique Orange (Iowa State), Rd 3 – OT Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern), Rd 3 – S Jakobe Thomas (Miami), Rd 5 – TE/FB Max Bredeson (Michigan), Rd 5 – CB Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin), Rd 6 – RB Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest), Rd 7 – C Gavin Gerhardt (Cincinnati)
Most impactful pick: The Vikings moved on from their two starting defensive tackles last season, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, which leaves a path for Banks to have an early impact. Banks is a very talented player with elite size and traits, but he’s had two injuries in the past year to his left foot and played only three games at Florida last season. Definite risk-reward pick in Banks.
Sleeper pick: It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that Thomas can earn a starting role at safety depending on Harrison Smith’s decision to return or retire. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Thomas is “a great fit as a safety in our defense.” He’s a player with high production (five interceptions last season) and a high football IQ.
Twentyman: Like Detroit, I thought Minnesota filled some key needs. Banks and Orange join a young group of well thought of veterans, which could be a nice rotation inside along Minnesota’s defensive front for a long time. They definitely added size there. Golday has a chance to immediately fill the Jonathan Greenard role (traded to the Eagles) in Brian Flores’ defense. There are some early contributors in this class with a lot of upside.
See what executive producer and analyst for NFL Matchup and senior producer at NFL Films Greg Cosell thinks about the Detroit Lions’ 2026 draft class.
Tim Twentyman shares his five takeaways from the Detroit Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft.
Tim Twentyman covers all the key questions from Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes’ post-draft press conference.
Tim Twentyman takes a closer look at the Detroit Lions’ seventh-round selection of defensive lineman Tyre West.
With the 222nd overall pick, the Detroit Lions select defensive lineman Tyre West.
Tim Twentyman takes a closer look at the Detroit Lions’ sixth-round selection of Skyler Gill-Howard.
With the 205th overall pick, the Detroit Lions select defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard.
Tim Twentyman takes a closer look at the Detroit Lions’ fifth-round selection of wide receiver Kendrick Law.
With the 168th overall pick, the Detroit Lions select wide receiver Kendrick Law.
Tim Twentyman takes a closer look at the Detroit Lions’ fifth-round selection of cornerback Keith Abney II.
With the 157th overall pick, the Detroit Lions select cornerback Keith Abney II.
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